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24/04/06: Testimonial on Dom's Quebec City Clinic...

Book Testimonials

On Cycle of Self Empowerment: "Having read so many inspirational books over the years, I can truly say that your writing is by far the most heart-felt, honest, useful and inspirational. I cannot express how much I have enjoyed reading it and I know I shall draw upon it time and time again."

-Evelyn
 England

On Cycle of Self Empowerment: "I'm almost finished reading your self empowerment book and it's incredible. It's truly changed my life already. It's helped me to re-evaluate my entire life and think about my inner flame. All my problems have become challenges and I see life in a much more positive view. I've read it every page slowly so far in detail and thought about each point, it truly is one of the best books I've ever read. I think everyone should have a copy."

-Ted
  Player

On It's Your Move: "The book is tremendous, loaded with all sorts of great concepts that we can all use and re-use. For me the 're-use' part is very important and is the real worth of the books I enjoy the most."

- David Garibaldi
  Player and Educator

On It's Your Move: "Thanks so much for the copy of your new book! I have spent time with it and feel it is perfect. There is so much great info in the book for me to review and learn from. I also feel I finally have the right book to teach out of. I want you to know that I still use and teach these methods every day. This book will be a very big help. Congratulations on this major accomplishment and contribution to the education of drummers worldwide! I also want to thank you for setting high standards for players like myself to try and reach."

- John Favicchia
  Player and Educator

Speech Testimonials

Annye comments on: THE GREATNESS OF DOM

Last night, I attended I drum clinic by the ever great Dom Famularo.

I was there with my fiance, my son and a friend of ours. We got there kind of last minute because of the lack of parking but we managed to find a table frontstage. It's the third time I've see him do a clinic and you can bet that everytime he comes here I'm there.

Dom Famularo's clinics are really the best I've ever seen and believe me when I say that. I've seen many drummers do clinics but the best ones are always with him. I always had the chance to meet him everytimeafter his clinics and he's really a sweetheart... I must also admit thatI'm always flattered by the fact that he remembers me everytime and takes the time to talk to me.

He was voted the best clinician of the year for the second time in a row and when you see him do his thing... you don't ask why... you just understand his greatness. He travels around the world non-stop just to spread his wisdom, doing a job he loves, play drums, share what he's been taught and learn from others.

What's so special about him is that he doesn't just talk about drumming. In fact, he doesn't explain technic or anything specific about drums... he simply talks about passion.

Passion and dedication.

When you find something you're good at, when you find your special talent, when you have such a passion, you practice, practice, practice and then practice. When you're done practicing, you practice some more... that's dedication.

When you have passion and dedication, you have happiness because you do what you love! He talks about being happy everyday because he chooses to be happy everyday. He speaks with great humor and intelligence. He's such a great motivator. Even when you don't play drums, it's a must see.
 
So he's there, 52 years young as he says, talking about passion and expression but then he goes on his drum set and plays a couple of songs. WOW!!! He really kicks ass! He gets me everytime. His style is unique, his groove is mesmerizing. To see him play drums is just incredible, you can't help yourself but be impressed by his talent. He doesn't just talk about passion, he proves that when you do what you love, you get to be good.

So to all who may have the chance to meet him, don't hesitate! Whatever you play drums or guitar, dance or wrestle, sing or paint, as long as you have a passion, go ahead, you'll have a great time! We always have such a wonderfull time in his company, he's really a great person, he's truly an inspiration.

Peter McDonald on: THE DOM FAMULARO EXPERIENCE

I wasn't sure what to expect when Dom first started talking, but by the time he had stopped I felt very inspired- and not just about drumming!

At most drum clinics the durmmer comes out and talks about technique and practicing but Dom was the opposite. He came out and started talking about how to get motivated and be happy with what you are doing. One of the things he mentioned that really struck me was that we never know when our time is going to be up, so we need to make the most of what we have. This means that if we want to be successful we need to be efficient with our time and implement things like active listening. I realised how I couldn't even remember the name of a book I'd just heard the name of- I realised how much more productive my time should be used. These are things I've never really thought about before, but now seem like vital tools one should have.

On top of putitng on a great show, Dom is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He always has time for everyone and anyone who wants to talk- even if it has nothing to do with drumming, which is a great quality in a person. Probably the thing that impressed me the most was his passion for his art form. How he plays from the heart all the time, and doesn't take things too seriously. You can tell he is enjoying it and that enthusiasm passes onto us. You can't help but feel good after one of his seminars, and it really makes you want to o play the drums.

Experiencing Dom's workshop was a great and hilarious experience from which I walked away feeling enlightened and very inspired. I won't forget it anytime soon.

Success Stories

Danny Britt of Dumont quit the corporate life to fulfil his passion- drumming- and has moved ahead full force with that love.

"Dom would always say that life is short and feels even shorter now, especially after 9/11," Britt said. "And, you know, hearing that said makes you realise that you should do what you can to follow your passions, even if it's just on the side. Dom inspired me to do that. Dom is a guy who really enjoys his life and who does what he wants and what makes him happy. I've never met anyone quite like him," says Britt, who calls Dom his "mentor".

"Once we were in a coffee shop and he said "I love my life." And I thought that's amazing, because there are so many people out there who don't."

His love of drumming rekindled, Britt slowly began to phase out his consultancy work, finally procuring only a few assignments here and there to receive medical benefits and supplement the new source of his livelihood- teaching the drums.

Turning to his background in psychology, Britt uses his lessons as a way to help his students get in touch with themselves and fulfil their personal goals.
"Drumming, besides for the technical part of it, is a very positive thing for people to have in their lives because it gives them a mode of expression," said Britt. "Some could be in a bad mood, but when they pick up drumsticks and play the drums or even just beat on a rubber pad, their stress is gone," he said. "But most importantly, drumming gives them something to look forward to every day that they can also share with other people."

Looking back on his success over the past five years, Britt considers himself a very lucky man. "My passion and my purpose are constantly in my life," he said. "I have so much to look forward to now because of this positive thing in my life." "And," Britt said with a laugh. "When else do you get to hit something and not get into trouble for it?"

Visit Danny's own website at:       WWW.DANNYBRITT.COM

Dom,

  My name is Zac Sullivan and I attended Futureman's workshop in Tennessee in the spring of 2001 where you were one of the teachers. You might not remember me (I wouldn't if I interacted with as many people as I'm sure you do) but I was the little red headed kid from Kentucky.

I owe you much thanks.  You inspired me as a musician in incredible ways and even more so as a boy eagerly becoming a man. Hard to believe someone can have such profound impact on another in such a short span of time. I changed a lot as person after that. I became nicer, more headstrong, open minded, etc. Ultimately, you taught me to help myself which has given me the world.

I ended up meeting a beautiful woman from a tragic environment. She has loved and supported me for the past five years and has been my wife for the past three. We have a two year old daughter named Lillian Elizabeth Sullivan. We are both now full time college students with the long term goal of obtaining our law degrees. We take all our classes together, do everything together, it's insanely perfect for us. I am 15-20 hours short of getting my private pilot's license and I soloed (went up alone) for the first time several months ago. I also applied for a patent two and a half years ago. It was a way of leaving an audible message on your grave. The patent was denied due to another patent focused on obtaining digital information in inaccessible locations, but oh well, there might be others.

Andy's Story

Hey Dom!

It's Andy McNeilly here from Fenelon Falls Ontario.

It's been a while but nonetheless, I have had this past two years or so to really think about the words of wisdom that you first shared with me in Halifax at the Atlantic Band Festival.

At that point in my life I was at a crossroad, neck and neck with a lifestyle that many have fallen into drug abuse and alcohol abuse. I didn't really think about it because it was just "what you do" in a socially deprived rural setting. It was "all you can do". But when I first heard you speak, as a rebellious young lad I was a sceptic I’ll admit. I said to myself "Oh the sales pitch" you know he's going to talk and try and get our money using the drums as a flashy medium.

When I heard you speak I realised you were selling something. But it was free, it was inspiring, empowering. It was One Thought. It was the idea that I had choice. It was the idea that through my choices, I paved my destined road. The only one that could go off course is me. There is no such word as can't. Only can. Nothing you can't do, only things you can.

I realised that I hadn't a problem. I had a challenge.

Things became a bit more clear to me after that first encounter, but not quite as clear as things are now (if you can even call it "clear" maybe "translucent") and as time went on I thought more and more about the power of one. The power of one idea, one thought, one person, and most importantly, one action. I took on an astounding interest in the world of music when I arrived home from that school trip. I became an addict. Not to a fifty-bucks-a-pop substance that ruined my appetite for life, but to something you feel inside of you when you reach a higher plain of thinking. To be honest I didn't know what it was. I thought it was just the music. So I dedicated my life to the music. Every hour of my free time was spent driving my parents, neighbours and siblings nuts with repetitive parradiddles, polyrhythms and practice.

About a year later I learned that you were coming to our school. "Dom Famularo in Fenelon Falls?!" was my reaction. Then I was told that you wanted me to call you! Ha! Was I ever awe struck!? "What do I say?" I said to myself repeatedly. At that time I was working in a grocery store and had a lot of time to think about this phone call during the repetitive task of stocking shelves. "Do I say Hi?" or "Hey" or "How ya doin'? Dom hows aboot ya come to Canada in the middle of nowhere during the tail end of a harsh winter and have a nice warm cup of Tim Horton's Coffee?" I didn't know what to say. So, I put it off. I called once and to my secretive relief you weren't there. But you called back and to my secretive relief I wasn't there.

You arrived in Fenelon Falls on April 20th and when we all sat down for dinner I realised "Wow this guys a really nice down to Earth person and probably would've loved a cup of Timmy's coffee". We talked, ate and walked and after that everyone that you spoke
with and met leftwith a little extra in their night. Something different for each, but a little something more to their lives. And I'd like to thank you for that.
 
On behalf of the whole McNeilly Family. Thank You.

You spoke and played at our school the following day. And once again I felt that everybody left with a little something extra in their lives. Everyone. Maybe to some it meant being able to see such an accomplished player at our school, maybe to others it meant seeing such an inspiring person in Fenelon Falls. To me it meant seeing a philosopher, a man who, doesn't have all the answers but doesn't mind giving up his time to help some people in a small town find some, a man who wants the world to be a better place. A man who wants to bend our world a bit. And I'll tell you Dom, you sure have bent the world in your own way.

After your performance, as you were receiving a standing ovation, as I was standing up I found myself on one knee with you standing above me. I'll never forget these words as you
handed me your Vic Firth HD9's warm on the handle you said:

"Andy, you have a mission. I want you to first empower yourself, then go out into the world and empower as many people as you can.
You can do this".

Those words have resonated in my ears since every day. And every day I give it one more thought. I have had much time to think about what you requested of me. Much time for self empowerment. I soon after discovered that the Zen-like feeling that I feel playing the drums can be felt in everything I do. What is that feeling? It's positivity. More and more, as time goes on I am realising that our world needs change. I am not able to change the whole world, but by changing myself and the way I approach others I can form a positive example, just as you have for me, and not change the world but at least bend it a bit. now am graduated from high school, still living in Fenelon Falls, but I live everyday in a constant cycle of self empowerment and I constantly work to empower all of those around me. Even If it means playing a song for a friend who needs some time.

Which leads me to where I am now. I now teach drum lessons in town and play in a band. We call ourselves BOB ANONYMOUS. The Idea behind our band is that we want to empower. We want to show that music is not only accessible to those who have the time and money- Music is for everyone. Music is for the world, and yet, it's just music.
It would be an honour for me if you could listen to some of our music. In my opinion, if it weren't for your words of wisdom, your words of empowerment, I could never have, discovered the happiness with myself and my world that I now possess today. Our songs are in the process of recording right now. But, hopefully when we are finished you can do us all the honour of hearing our music. We may not be able to change the world, but were all going to bend it a bit. And maybe, if we can pass the same example on to the world that you have
passed on to so many in this the world we live in, it will change.

And in the words of Sheri Brennemen:
Dom, You truly are a Wavemaker

Thank You
Andy McNeilly
 

Emmanuel's Story

Hey Dom!

What a terrific book! The Cycle of Self-Empowerment definitively changed my life. I'm studying with Stephane Chamberland in Quebec City and we're talking together about your book. While reading it, I passed through a myriad of emotions and feelings; I sometimes cried with your stories, laughed alone on the bus like a crazy man (but feeling good about it too!!!), and concentrate more than ever to understand some concepts and so on!

To tell you the truth, I needed to read some pages everyday. It became a drug to me. I AM NOW A ''CYCLE OF SELF-EMPOWERMENT ADDICT''!!! Every page was so good and so inspiring!!! Now, the way I see life is different. I'm running head first toward challenges and trying to apply all the things I've learned. It's not easy but I'm deeply convinced that it is worth the effort.

By the way, I already noticed the positive effects it has on my life, in my relationships with people, etc. I'm at peace with myself; wearing those ''rose colored glasses''. And the biggest thing in that story is that it's still new to me. I'm walking on sunshine since only few weeks ago now. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE AND FEEL ALL THE EFFECTS ON A LONG TERM PERIOD!!!

The only and unique goal of this message is to say THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU and THANK YOU AGAIN!

We have to meet someday (and we will I'm sure!!! (positive thinking!!)) I feel like I have so many things to learn from you (both on the drumset and in life!)

TTTTHHHHHAAANNNKK YOU!

With all my gratitude,

EMMANUEL MORIN